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IAPLC CREATOR’S FILE #08 Xudong Zheng
IAPLC Creator’s File interviews top winners of the IAPLC, the world’s leading planted aquarium contest, and introduces the secrets of their progress and their passion for the planted aquarium hobby.
IAPLC 2022 WORLD RANKING 0039
晨曦
Aquarium Size W1500×D500×H500(mm)
晨曦
Aquarium Size W1500×D500×H500(mm)
Create your own underwater forest and enjoy that the pleasure the beautiful scenery brings us.
Q What made you get into the planted aquarium hobby?
I saw a pop-up ad when I was shopping online. It was an image showing aquatic plants planted in an aquarium. I thought it was very interesting, so I bought one and started growing aquatic plants, and I was hooked. I started with a W80cm aquarium and later increased the size to a W100cm aquarium. Currently, I am enjoying the layout in a larger aquarium of W150 cm.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
Through production and maintenance, I can develop patience over time, and I can also train my hands-on skills. The most fascinating part is when I get home after work each day and see small fish swimming freely in the beautiful environment I have created. It calms my mind and makes me forget the worries of work. The micro small world is like being in another space, relaxing and comfortable.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
I get ideas from many things, including beautiful natural environments, landscape photos in various magazines, and Japanese anime.
I saw a pop-up ad when I was shopping online. It was an image showing aquatic plants planted in an aquarium. I thought it was very interesting, so I bought one and started growing aquatic plants, and I was hooked. I started with a W80cm aquarium and later increased the size to a W100cm aquarium. Currently, I am enjoying the layout in a larger aquarium of W150 cm.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
Through production and maintenance, I can develop patience over time, and I can also train my hands-on skills. The most fascinating part is when I get home after work each day and see small fish swimming freely in the beautiful environment I have created. It calms my mind and makes me forget the worries of work. The micro small world is like being in another space, relaxing and comfortable.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
I get ideas from many things, including beautiful natural environments, landscape photos in various magazines, and Japanese anime.
Q Please tell us about the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish?
Since I am usually busy and have little time for maintenance, I tend to think in terms of the speed of growth when selecting aquatic plants. Therefore, slow growing aquatic plants are my first choice. I am especially fond of Riccardia chamedryfolia, Bolbitis heudelotii, and Bucephalandra sp. and use those aquatic plants in most of my layouts. You can avoid overgrowth of aquatic plants that fill the entire aquarium in a short period of time due to fast-growing aquatic plants. In selecting fish species, I introduced Paracheirodon axelrodi in many of my layouts because I prefer the schooling type of tetras. Their scales shine with a blue metallic sheen, making them look like spirits of the night. These little fish have lovely movement and swim energetically.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
My favorite tools are ADA’s Pro-Pinsettes. Compared to ordinary tweezers, they are stronger and allow for easy and precise insertion back into the soil without damaging delicate plants such as undergrowth when planting aquatic plants.
Since I am usually busy and have little time for maintenance, I tend to think in terms of the speed of growth when selecting aquatic plants. Therefore, slow growing aquatic plants are my first choice. I am especially fond of Riccardia chamedryfolia, Bolbitis heudelotii, and Bucephalandra sp. and use those aquatic plants in most of my layouts. You can avoid overgrowth of aquatic plants that fill the entire aquarium in a short period of time due to fast-growing aquatic plants. In selecting fish species, I introduced Paracheirodon axelrodi in many of my layouts because I prefer the schooling type of tetras. Their scales shine with a blue metallic sheen, making them look like spirits of the night. These little fish have lovely movement and swim energetically.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
My favorite tools are ADA’s Pro-Pinsettes. Compared to ordinary tweezers, they are stronger and allow for easy and precise insertion back into the soil without damaging delicate plants such as undergrowth when planting aquatic plants.
Q Is there anything that you always keep in mind while creating layouts?
I think the state of mind during production is very important. You must calm your mind, build up day by day, and be constantly diligent. If I were to compare layout to a game, I would think of it as a training game. It is a gradual accumulation of processes over time, not a temporary effort to reach a goal. It is important to put thought into the combination of aquatic plants and to allow them to grow vibrantly in the same aquarium, resulting in the creation of a natural landscape.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
I had the chance to meet one of my seniors by chance, and on his advice, I applied to IAPLC. I am honored and very happy to be able to introduce my work to everyone who is as passionate about the planted aquarium hobby as I am, and after the results were announced, I was able to meet friends who enjoy aquatic plants in the local area and learn and socialize together.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
Let’s create our own unique underwater forest and enjoy the pleasure that the beautiful scenery brings us. Let’s do it together!
I think the state of mind during production is very important. You must calm your mind, build up day by day, and be constantly diligent. If I were to compare layout to a game, I would think of it as a training game. It is a gradual accumulation of processes over time, not a temporary effort to reach a goal. It is important to put thought into the combination of aquatic plants and to allow them to grow vibrantly in the same aquarium, resulting in the creation of a natural landscape.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
I had the chance to meet one of my seniors by chance, and on his advice, I applied to IAPLC. I am honored and very happy to be able to introduce my work to everyone who is as passionate about the planted aquarium hobby as I am, and after the results were announced, I was able to meet friends who enjoy aquatic plants in the local area and learn and socialize together.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
Let’s create our own unique underwater forest and enjoy the pleasure that the beautiful scenery brings us. Let’s do it together!
